Hospice
patients are not always able to participate in some long-term-care social
activities. But they should be encouraged to become involved whenever they can.
Social interactions can improve their sense of belonging, distract them from
being depressed, and bolster their independence. Sometimes they can watch from
the sidelines while still expressing their opinions and creativity. As
a hospice volunteer in Detroit nursing homes for many years, I found it very
rewarding being a catalyst for my terminally ill residents’ involvement at
festive gatherings.
Richard, my hospice patient in his eighties, seemed
depressed some days. He gave me the impression that leaving his room to spend time
with other residents was too much of a bother. I suspected he would respond that way if I invited him to an upcoming program, so
I came prepared with ideas to change his mind. I focused on ways to help him
turn his indifference inside out, even as death’s footsteps slowly moved down his
path. After a great deal of motivating conversation, I finally convinced him to
allow me to give him a wheelchair ride to a theatrical performance in the blue
room at the nursing home. I reminded him that was where he had previously enjoyed listening to children sing songs they had learned at school.
(Excerpt from Becoming
Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes)
“Along
the way, Richard greeted other residents and staff members who were headed down
the hall in the same direction. Some shuffled along with canes and walkers,
while others moved with little or no assistance. Caressing her blanket, a
white-haired woman with dementia told Richard she was on her way to the airport
to catch a plane. A man broke out in song with “We’re Off to See the Wizard.” I
couldn’t help rolling my eyes in disbelief when Richard started telling other people
to hurry, so we wouldn’t be late. With each turn of his wheelchair, I could
feel his energy growing as we approached the big blue room, a place that made
him feel good.
Exhilaration
ignited as the show started. Accompanied by the soft thunder of drumbeats,
speakers shared stories and poems in praise of their elders. Residents were
given small instruments to play and were coaxed to join in singing lively
songs. Dances from back in the day inspired some audience members to sway in
their seats. For a soul-stirring while, the nursing home disappeared. We were
all transported to a fabulous planet where euphoria was our oxygen. I watched a
radiant Richard wave at people he recognized, holler when the emcee gave the
signal, and clap like his life depended on it. And the quality of his life
really did.”
©
Frances Shani Parker
Read about who leaves hospice alive. Discharges can occur for several reasons: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leaving-hospice-alive-research-nursing-home-story-parker?trk=mp-reader-card
Frances
Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
